Mods: Changed the gauge to make it much bigger and reduced the pattern repeats. Details can be found on her Ravelry project page, here.

What Makes This Awesome: I think I need to make the disclaimer, the original pattern is my design. But even if this wasn’t my pattern I would still love this mod, because it shows how amazing things can be when you blow up fine knits into heavy weights! Stefanie cleverly worked up this fingering weight pattern in Aran weight, which changes delicate designs into something bolder, more graphic. If you are looking at a stranded design and think that it might be too much of a time investment, consider making it in a heavier weight yarn- aran weight, or even bulky. stranded designs (and lace!) are totally transformed. If you don’t typically look at stranded designs because of the fine gauge, consider supersizing!

My Favourite Pins This Week

Cookie brittle is a thing! Flaky, crumbly and buttery, this is a delicious take on the humble chocolate chip cookie. Plus, I think cutting things into triangles looks like such a pretty idea, and so much more inviting than squares. Pinterest link is here, and the original recipe post is here.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a cocktail in my round ups, but this Brandy Apple cocktail is super easy and delicious, and you could leave out the brandy for an alcohol-free version. A perfect festive beverage for the the season! Pinterest link is here, and the original recipe post is here.

Have you heard about Hygge, the Danish art of making the most of winter and being super cozy? I highly, highly recommend this post which gives a great overview of the key elements of Hygge, and 20 ideas on how to get your Hygge on this winter. If you find winter dull and dreary, then this approach just might change your mind. Pinterest link is here, and the original post is here. Are you Hygge-ing? If so, tell me what you are doing!

How is it the weekend already?! I feel like I blinked and this whole week just disappeared. This weekend, we are going to put our Christmas tree up, and I’m super excited! We actually haven’t bothered getting a tree for the last 7 years (we’re always out of town for Christmas), but now that Lila is older I think it’s time. Coming soon- my mini stocking advent calendar update! Have a lovely weekend, everyone!

Share story

Did you participate in the #craftyblisschallenge? It was so much fun! 117 people completed all 10 days of prompts (woo hoo!) And participants contributed over 1200 photos in this round. So amazing! It took me a while to count through everything, and figure out exactly how many people had completed it. I used a very unscientific method of going through loads of photos and entering names on a spreadsheet.

Here were the prompts:

Even though the prompts were created by Melissa and I, some were still harder than others! How to pick a favourite project? And look up has so many options. Here were my photos:

Thank you everyone who participated, even if you didn’t finish all ten days. It’s such a wonderful feeling of camaraderie and friendship to be doing the challenge all together, and even though we might not ‘know’ each other. There’s intimacy in talking about our favourite projects, why they mean so much to us. Glimpses into each other’s lives that we don’t normally share. It’s not just pretty pictures, it’s meaningful. It’s beautiful on a different level.

If you haven’t checked out the hashtag already, read Melissa’s wrap up which featured some great photos from a small selection of participants.

We even had two winners for yarn prize packs! Chantel of Mudpunch(if you love gorgeous striped sock yarn, you need to check out her shop) has offered a skein of her beautiful yarn as a prize!! The winners have been picked and they are:@akwenstrup

Melissa and I will be doing it again in the spring, and we will try to be organized enough to have sponsors so we can share pictures of the prizes in advance (planning, I hear it’s a good thing). If anyone would like to sponsor a prize for a winner for the spring Instagram challenge, send me an email!

Share story

Mods: Randi adjusted the neckline to make it more of a crew neck, and the underarms for a better fit, as well as lengthening the sweater to turn it into a dress. Details can be found on her project page, here.

What Makes This Awesome: I’m utterly smitten with this dress – the tweed, the stripes, and great length – it’s so wearable. Even though I am not dress person, I obsess over sweater dresses. they just look like the epitome of comfy, cozy, pretty winter dressing. Randi’s decision to take a sweater pattern and lengthen it to her ideal dress was smart- she had the yarn for it, and it was a top down pattern so she could try it on as she went.

The neckline looks fantastic, too- not only does the crew neck suit her, I really like the deeper ribbing. If you have been craving a sweater dress, why not take a top down sweater pattern that you love, and lengthen it? Worst case scenario, you try it on and it doesn’t look right, you can rip it back to a sweater length. Best case scenario, you too could have a picture perfect dress like this one!

I had some weird flu for 48 hours earlier this week, and it was rough. Last week James had it, and now it seems Guy is getting it. So if colds and flu season is banging on your door, here are some ways to feel a bit better. Who knew about the mashed turnips?!

My Favourite Pins This Week

Chocolaty, peanut buttery, and with some oatmeal so you can sort of pretend they might have had a brush with something healthy – these squares have got it all. Don’t make these unless you are having people over or bringing them to someone’s house- you don’t want to be alone with them (you will eat the whole pan). Pinterest link is here, and the original recipe post is here.

May I present a truly delicious side dish- garlic and parmesan smashed sweet potatoes. So good, and using sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes makes these a lot healthier (400% of your daily RDA of vitamin A!). Pinterest link is here, and the original recipe is here.

If you are looking for a super easy and super fast gift to knit this season, let me tell you about these fingerless mitts! I wrote up a (very) beginner friendly pattern that is great for stashbusting small worsted weight quantities. These knit up in about an evening! It was for a client, so you can check it out on their site, but you can also find it on Ravelry. Pinterest link is here, and the original full pattern is here.

This time of year is going to get crazy. Everyone is going to be in a rush to get together before the holidays, and no doubt someone is going to ask you to do something you just don’t want to do. And if it isn’t something that is really important to you, why not practice saying ‘no’? Here’s some great ideas, although perhaps the more cheeky responses are for your close friend and family only. 😉 Pinterest link is here, and the original post is here.

And then after you said no to the party/holiday cookie exchange/extra work, how about just staying in your comfy bed and reading a good book? If my bedroom looked like this, I think I’d say no to everything, because I’d never want to leave. Pinterest link is here, and the original post is here.

Have a great weekend, everyone! Melissa and I are just wrapping up the #craftyblisschallenge results, and going through all the photos, tabulating the number of people who completed it and the number of photos. Full post coming next week!

Share story

Hi I'm Julie. I love the written word, cozy knits, international travel, domestic pleasures, my quirky british husband, and my two little kids. I help knitters and crafters get inspired by sharing modified knitting projects, round ups of craft ideas and recipes, and reflections on the crafting life. Email Knitted Bliss

The $5,000 Wedding

Here's how we did it!

Archives

Archives

Knitted Bliss is trademarked and copyright of Julie Crawford, 2012. All images and text are property of Julie Crawford unless otherwise mentioned; such as the photographs used in the 'Modification Monday' posts.
Some book links are affiliate links to Amazon.com; I'm just trying it out to see if it's worth using or not.